CAERAU residents and local councillors are opposing a new landfill site on a former brickworks.
Opponents of the plan are unhappy with the number of lorries that will use narrow, residential streets on their way to access the site via Cwrt-Yr-Ala Road.
A planning submission has been sent to the Vale of Glamorgan Council, as the land falls just outside of the city limits.
According to the planning application, the road will be used by a number of HGVs every hour on weekdays while work is taking place at the site.
Caerau Councillor Peter Bradbury has voiced his disapproval with an official objection submitted to the Vale Council.
Mr Bradbury said: “Although I am opposing this application, what is going on the site does not bother me. It is the lorries and the traffic on Cwrt-Yr-Ala Road that I am concerned with. These lorries will have a huge impact on the quality of life of my constituents – the road simply isn’t built for this sort of traffic.”
The application is not for a traditional landfill site. It asks for permission to re-fill the area to the levels it was before quarrying took place. To do this, the plan is to fill the site with inert waste, which does not decompose and is neither chemically or biologically reactive.
The site would then be planted with native trees to reconnect the two sides of Caerau Wood.
A spokesman for Emear Limited, who submitted the planning application, said: “The road network already caters for bin lorries and delivery lorries. We rely on our technical experts regarding traffic flow and we have taken this into account, and at our own cost, we have limited our hours of operation.
“The maximum amount of lorries we will accept is four per hour and this a maximum. More realistically, it would be one or two an hour, and not every day.”
Residents argue that the road is “not suitable for access” and will “cause disruption” to the area.
Cwrt-Yr-Ala road resident Bob Tennent, 57, said: “Personally I think it’s a great idea to landscape the area, but not under the current plan. I do not want eight HGVs an hour using our roads.”
A public meeting has been organised by Plaid Cymru councillor Neil McEvoy to allow all sides to put forward their arguments.
The meeting takes place at Ysgol Nant Caerau at 7pm this Thursday, January 14.
